Anxiety

  • Constant Worry:Feeling overwhelmed by persistent thoughts of what could go wrong, whether it's about school, friendships, or family situations.

  • Social and separation anxiety: Feeling intensely self-conscious, worrying about being judged or embarrassed, and avoiding social situations or activities they used to enjoy. Fearing that something bad will happen to their parents or caregivers when they are apart, leading to clinginess or reluctance to go to school or sleepovers.

  • Fear of failure and Perfectionism: Anxious children and teens often set high expectations for themselves and become distressed when they feel they haven't met those standards. Being paralyzed by the fear of making mistakes, which prevents them from trying new things or taking risks.

  • School Performance: Experiencing difficulty concentrating, completing assignments, or participating in class because of anxiety.

Depression

  • Difficulty with Daily Tasks: Many children and teens find it hard to complete simple daily tasks such as homework, chores, or self-care routines due to overwhelming feelings of anxiety and not having the energy.

  • Negative self talk: Engaging in critical or catastrophic thinking, such as "I'm not good enough" or "Something terrible will happen."

  • Difficulty Sleeping: Struggling to fall asleep or stay asleep due to racing thoughts and fears, leading to fatigue and irritability.

  • Fear of Harm: They may have intrusive thoughts about harming themselves or others, even though they have no intention of doing so, which can be distressing and confusing.

  • Suicidal Thoughts: In severe cases, children and teens with depression may experience suicidal ideation or thoughts of self-harm, feeling overwhelmed by emotional pain and a sense of being trapped.

Obessive Complusive Disorder (OCD)

  • Obsessive thoughts about germs: Children and teens with OCD may constantly worry about germs or contamination, leading to excessive hand washing or avoidance of certain places or objects.

  • Avoidance of trigger: Avoiding places, activities, or people that trigger their anxiety, which can limit their opportunities for growth and enjoyment. They often avoid situations, people, or places that trigger their obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviors, which can limit their activities and social interactions.

  • Counting or Repeating Actions: They may engage in counting rituals or repetitive behaviors, such as touching objects a certain number of times, to reduce anxiety associated with intrusive thoughts.

  • Need for Symmetry or Order: Some children and teens with OCD feel compelled to arrange objects in a specific order or symmetry to alleviate anxiety or discomfort.

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

  • Impulsivity: Children and teens with ADHD often act impulsively without thinking through the consequences, which can lead to social misunderstandings and conflicts.

  • Poor time management: They may have difficulty managing time effectively, leading to procrastination, missed deadlines, or difficulty prioritizing tasks.

  • Emotional Regulation Challenges: Children and teens may have difficulty managing their emotions, which can manifest in meltdowns, tantrums, or shutdowns when overwhelmed or overstimulated.

  • Difficulty with Executive Functioning: Challenges in planning, organizing tasks, and prioritizing actions can impact academic performance, daily routines, and independence. Autism and adhd

  • Easily Distracted: ADHD can make it challenging for them to stay focused on tasks or conversations, as their attention may constantly shift to unrelated stimuli.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

  • Frequent anger outburst: Children and teens with ODD often struggle with intense anger that can lead to frequent outbursts or tantrums, sometimes over seemingly minor issues.

  • Argumentative behavior:They tend to argue with adults or authority figures, often questioning rules or directives, which can escalate situations and create tension.

  • Blaming Others: Children and teens with ODD may refuse to take responsibility for their actions and instead blame others for their problems or misbehavior.

  • Negativity and Resentment: They may exhibit a consistently negative attitude and harbor resentment towards authority figures or peers, which can contribute to ongoing conflicts.

  • Lack of Empathy: They often have difficulty understanding or empathizing with the feelings and perspectives of others, which can strain relationships and lead to social isolation.

Autism

  • Difficulty with Verbal Communication and Non verbal communication challenges: Children and teens with autism may struggle with expressing themselves verbally, including challenges with language development, articulation, or understanding abstract language. Some individuals with autism may have difficulty using and interpreting non-verbal communication cues such as facial expressions, gestures, and body language.

  • Transitioning to New Environments or Activities: Children and teens may find transitions between activities, places, or routines challenging, requiring support to navigate changes smoothly and reduce anxiety.

  • Sensory Sensitivities: Sensory issues, such as sensitivity to lights, sounds, textures, or tastes, can overwhelm children and teens with autism, affecting their comfort and ability to participate in everyday activities.

  • Rigidity and Resistance to Change: Some individuals with autism may struggle with inflexible routines or difficulty adapting to unexpected changes, leading to anxiety or frustration.

How do we help your child or teen grow at hidden growth?

Improved Coping Skills for Constant Worry: Therapy can teach children and teens effective strategies to manage and reduce excessive worry, such as mindfulness techniques and cognitive restructuring.

Enhanced Daily Functioning: Through therapy, individuals can develop practical skills and routines to improve organization, time management, and task completion, reducing the impact of difficulties with daily tasks.

Better Impulse Control: Therapy helps children and teens learn strategies to regulate impulsivity, promoting thoughtful decision-making and reducing impulsive behaviors.

Reduced Anger Outbursts: Therapy provides tools to manage anger, including identifying triggers, practicing relaxation techniques, and improving communication skills to express emotions effectively.

Effective Management of Obsessive Thoughts: Children and teens can learn techniques in therapy to challenge and reduce obsessive thoughts, such as radical acceptance.

Improved Communication Skills: Therapy supports development in both verbal and non-verbal communication, enhancing social interactions and reducing misunderstandings.

Decreased Anxiety Symptoms: Therapy addresses social and separation anxiety through gradual exposure techniques, relaxation exercises, and cognitive restructuring to alleviate fear and discomfort in social situations.

Enhanced Self-Esteem and Positive Self-Talk: Through therapy, individuals learn to challenge negative self-talk, build self-compassion, and cultivate a more positive self-image.

Improved Emotional Regulation: Therapy provides strategies to recognize and manage emotions effectively, reducing emotional dysregulation and promoting healthier coping mechanisms.

Better Adaptation to Change: Children and teens learn skills in therapy to navigate transitions and manage rigidity, promoting flexibility and reducing stress associated with change.

Children and adolescents are more inclined to comply and cooperate with requests